Lock for spare wheels and tires



Jun 2, 1956. s, JANDUS ET AL I Re. 19,993

' LOCK FOR SPARE WHEELS AND TIRES Original Filed Sept. 27, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet June 1936. H. s. JANDUS ET AL Re. 19,993

LOCK FOR SPARE WHEELS AND TIRES Original Filed Sept. 27, 1930 '3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 2, 1936. H. s. JANDUS Er AL LOCK FOR SPARE WHEELS AND TIRES Original Filed Spt. 27, l930 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 5% 5Q E2 me Q 3 Z 0 0?. 4 a

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Reissued June 2, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE A. Smith, North Chicago, Oakes Products Corporation, North 111., assignors to Chicago,

111., a corporation of Michigan Original No. 1,881,620, dated October 11, 1932,

Serial No. 484,764, September plication for reissue January Claims.

This invention has to do with locks, more particularly of the type employed in connection with automobiles, spare wheels, tires and tire covers.

There are numerous locks of this general character now on the market, especially insofar as they relate to the locking of wheels and the tires and/or covers mounted thereon, and these are more or less successful. These locks are attended generally with undesirable features, however, since they are often made with a plurality of separable parts, one or more of which may be easily lost, are quite diflicult to assemble and disassemble, and to apply in position, and include complicated mechanism, involving expensive manufacturing operations which render such locks rather high priced.

It is one of the principal objects of this invention to provide a lock of this general character which is of extremely simple construction and involves a minimum of parts which are inseparably connected as a unit, and which may be applied and removed from the tire and wheel very readily, and whose cost of manufacture, by reason of its simplicity, is extremely low.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of an anti-theft device for looking a spare wheel, the-tire mounted thereon, and the tire cover mounted on the tire, to a vehicle, regardless of whether the wheel is mounted in the rear or in the fender well of the car, or elsewhere.

The invention has particular application to that character of wheel which receives one or more male threaded members on a wheel carrier, and to the extremities of which members nuts are applied. In carrying out the invention, we employ a unitary stamping or the like applied on the outside of the spare wheel and in a position to so cover the nut or nuts as to prevent unauthorized access thereto and at the same time partially or completely enclose the valve stem to thereby prevent unauthorized access to the same. A locking element in the form of a lock cylinder or the like is swivelly mounted in the stamping or the like and may be provided with one or more plungers, spring pressed or otherwise, to be received in one or more recesses in the stamping or the like, and removable from such recesses by the proper key inserted inthe locked cylinder. The cylinder may be provided with a threaded extension to receive a hooklike member threadedly mounted thereon. The hook of this member is adapted to engage the inner side of the hub or other part of the wheel while the stamping engages the outer side, so

2'7, 1930. Ap- 18, 1936, Serial that by rotating the cylinder lock to draw the hook member toward the stamping, a vice like arrangement is provided whereby the whole lock is securely mounted on the wheel so that unauthorized access to the carrier nuts and tire valve stem is prevented. Where it is desired to lock only the wheel and the tire, means may be provided for preventing separation of the hook member from the threaded extension of the lock cylinder. However, whenever it is desired to employ a tire cover lock in connection with the other locking instrumentalities, the hook member may include an arm which may take the general form of a question mark, the upper end having a releasable inter-locking engagement with the tire cover, which cover is contemplated as being of the metallic type.

Other and further important objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims.

As shown on the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view showing one form of our invention used in connection with a wheel and tire of well known construction, the wheel and valve stem of the tire being shown in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken approximately in the plane indicated by the line II-II in Figure 1, certain parts being shown in elevation.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view similar to Figure 2, showing a slightly modifiedform of the invention.

Figure 4 illustrates a form of the invention which includes means for locking a tire cover as well as the wheel and tire.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary plan view taken approximately in the plane indicated by the line V-V in the Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken approximately in the plane indicated by the line VIVI in Figure 4.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary view partially in rier F are quite completely enclosed by the walls of the head 2 and the hub A. Rearwardly extending flanges 4 straddle the valve stem C and extend therebeyond sufiiciently to cooperate with the rear or other permanent part of the vehicle to prevent access to the valve stem. The upper extremity 5 of the stamping I projects somewhat rearwardly from the face of the stamping to abut the wheel rim D at 6, and the casing I is provided with short flanges l which are so dimensioned that they engage the hub A at substan tially the same time that the hub is engaged by the rearwardly extending flanges of the head 2 and the portion 5 engages the rim D.

Integral with or permanently fastened to the casing I in any suitable manner is a substantially cylindrical member 8 having one or more substantially radial recesses 9 and a rear, inwardly extending flange I0. A lock cylinder H is rotatably mounted in the cylinder 8 and is provided with a spring pressed plunger I 2 adapted to normally occupy one of the recesses 9. The lock cylinder II contains tumbler means I3 operable by a key I4 and having an eccentric boss I5 operating in the slot I6 of the plunger I2, and adapted when the tumbler means I3 is rotated to unlocked position, to withdraw the plunger I2 from its recess 9 and maintain the same withdrawn against the pressure of the spring. The cylinder 8 is provided with a flange II which may be in the form of a split ring fitting in a groove as shown or in any other suitable form, such flange being located on the reduced portion I8 to form with the main body of the cylinder II a groove in which the flange I0 is received. Thus the cylinder II is swivelled in and incapable of longitudinal movement with respect to the cylinder 8. The cylinder II is further reduced ---and provided with a threaded extension I9, on

which a female threaded member 20, having a depending hooked portion 2 I, is received, the outermost portion of the extension I9 being provided with a flange 22 which may be in the form of a split ring fitting into a groove as shown, or may be permanently secured to the extension I9, to prevent removal of the female member 2|) from said extension. The hook portion 2| is adapted to receive a rearwardly extending portion or rim of the hub A as shown, and when the parts are in locked position as seen in Figure 2, it will be evident that the engagement of the hook with said rim is such as to prevent unauthorized rotation of the female member 20 and the male member I9. As a further precaution against such rotation of the female member 23, one or more of the sides 23 of said member are made flat and said flat sides are closely straddled by the flanges 4 of the casing I.

It will be apparent that when inserting the device into operative position it is necessary merely to apply the same to the Wheel from left to right looking at Figure 2. It will be noted that the rearward extremities 24 of the flanges 4 are spaced from the flange 22 a distance in excess of the thickness of the threaded portion of the female member 23, so that when the female member 23 is located in its substantially rear position, it may be rotated about the extension I9. Thus it will be apparent that when the locking instrumentalities are moved into position as just mentioned, the hook 2| maybe turned to a position at substantially right angles or at from its position as shown in Figure 2, so that it will offer no obstruction to the proper placement of the various parts in their operative posi- 'E and the cover mounted tion. When the casing is in engagement with the hub A and the rim D of the wheel as shown, the hook 2| may be engaged by the finger of the person applying the lock and flipped or otherwise moved around until it is in a position to receive the rim of the hub A.

The cylinder II may be provided with handle means indicated at 25 or with wrench engaging" means indicated at 26 in the form shown in Figure 3. With the plunger I 2 withdrawn into the cylinder I I, the latter is subjected to a rotary motion, either by hand or by means of a wrench, in a direction to draw the hook member 2| forwardly until the same receives the rim of the hub A as shown in Figure 2. The holes 9 are provided for adjustment as well as for locking purposes, and after the parts are properly tightened, the plungers I2 may be moved by means of the key I4 and the spring into the appropriate recess or hole 9. With the key I4 removed it is apparent that the device will effectively prevent unauthorized access to the carrier nuts B and valve stem C to thereby prevent theft of the wheel and tire.

In the form of my invention shown in Figure 3, the only changes over the construction illustrated in Figure 2 resides in the substitution of wrench engaging means 26 for the hand grip means 25 and the permanent flange 2'! for the split ring 22.

In the form of our invention shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6, the casing 28 is of the general form illustrated in the previous figures, including a. head 29 cooperating with the hub A of the wheel to enclose the carrier nuts B against unauthorized access, and having a lip at its upper extremity in engagement with the wheel rim D. This casing may be in the form of a stamping or otherwise, and its rearwardly extending flanges 3| are rebent or turned in at 32, providing a space through which the valve stem C may easily pass. The base portions 33 of the inwardly extending flanges 32 may be either separated or united or only one such base portion 33 may be provided.

A housing or the like 34 is fitted into the interior of the casing 28 and is provided with one or more substantially radial recesses 35 adapted to receive the spring pressed plunger 36 of the locking instrumentalities 31. These instrumene talities include tumbler means and the like as described in connection with the construction of the Figures 1, 2 and 3, and include a cylinder 39 which is swiveled to the housing 34 in any suitable manner, one manner or form being illustrated as comprising split ring means 40 in complementary grooves 38. The cylinder 39 is provided with a reduced threaded extension 4| unthreaded to the housing 35 and the base portions 33 and projecting therebeyond for engagement with a female member 42. The female member 42 may itself be threaded, or, as shown, a nut 43 is permanently fastened thereto either by welding as at 44 or in any other suitable manner. The female member 42 is provided with a depending hook 45 adapted to receive the rim of the hub A in the manner shown. The member 42 is in the form substantially of a question mark having a body 46 which is curved to conform roughly to the cross-sectional shape of the tire thereon. While the housing 34 may be permanently secured to the casing 28 in any well known manner, we have illustrated the same as being secured to the casing by means of one or more depressions 41 in hand or otherwise, the key the casing, which depressions fit. into corre-. sponding depressions in the housing 34.

While the body 46 of the member 42 may be suitably formed for interlocking engagement with any type of tire cover, we illustrate the same in connection with a metallic cover embodying a side annular plate 48 adapted for engagement with the outer wall of a tire E; and held securely against the wall of the tire by means of a split spring ring member 49 which, by reason of its resilience, maintains the side plate 48 as well as itself tightly and securely on the tire. The ring member 49 is provided with a staple 50 which may be integrally or permanently secured thereto in any suitable manner. As illustrated, the member 49 is provided with an opening 5| through which the body of the staple 59 projects as clearly shown in Figure 6, such staple being provided with flanges 52 riveted at 53 to the ring 49. The body of the staple 55 is spaced from the ring 49 and the body 46 of the member 42 is provided with a hook 54 adapted to receive the forward edge of the staple 5B, the spacing of the body of the staple from the ring 49 being such as to permit a slight amount of playbetween it and the inturned end 55 of the hook 54.

In applying the lock to the wheel, tire and cover, the member 42 is separated from the remainder of the locking instrumentalities and is inserted between the body of the car and the spare wheel until the hook portion 54 is positioned adjacent the staple 5i], whereupon the hook portion 54 is moved into interlocking engagement with the staple 50. The hook portion 45 of the member 42 is then hooked over the rearwardly extending rim of the hub A. The casing 28 with its various locking instrumentalities is moved from left to right looking at Figure 4 in such a manner as to receive the valve stem 6 and to cover the nuts B, whereupon the threaded extension 4! will be disposed in a position to enter the threaded portion 43 of the member 42. The parts are held together by the M is operated to withdraw the plunger 36 if the the latter is not alalready withdrawn, and the cylinder 39 is subjected to a rotary motion until the threaded extension 4| has gained an entrance to the nut portion 44. The hand may then be withdrawn, and the cylinder 39 further rotated until the casing 28 and the member 42 constitute in effect the jaws of a vice-like structure engaging opposite sides of the hub A. When the plunger 36 is opposite a recess 35 which will provide the proper adjustment, the key 14 is inserted and rotated until the plunger enters such recess, thereby effectively locking the spare wheel, tire and cover against theft.

While the staple 50 is illustrated as being of a substantially flat construction, it will be appreciated that the same may be cylindrical or otherwise formed, and the hook 54 similarly shaped to provide sufiicient pivotal movement therebetween to obviate any obstruction to the separation and drawing together of the threaded parts 4| and 43.

The construction in Figure '7 shows the same form of invention as is illustrated in Figure 4, except that the tire cover locking member is replaced by a simple nut 55 similar to a wing nut and having a pair of grooves 51, a plurality of such grooves being provided to facilitate application of the nut to the rim of the hub A.

We are aware that numerous details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and we, therefore, do not purpose limiting the patent granted, otherwise than necessitated by the prior art.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a device for rendering theftproof a spare wheel and tire mounted on a carrier, a pair of jaws engageable with opposite sides of the wheel for gripping the latter, one of said jaws comprising a housing for receiving the wheel mounting means and the tire valve, whereby to prevent access to said means and valve, instrumentalities for adjusting said jaws relative to each other, and means for limiting separative movement of said jaws, whereby a unitary device is provided.

2. In a device for rendering theftproof a spare wheel and tire mounted on a carrier, a pair of jaws engageable with opposite sides: of the wheel for gripping the latter, one of said jaws comprising a housing for receiving the wheel'mounting means and the tire valve, whereby to prevent access to said means and valve, and instrumentalities for adjusting said jaws relative to each other, said instrumentalities being swlvelly connected to one of said jaws.

3. In a device for rendering theftproof a spare wheel and tire mounted on a carrier, a pair of jaws engageable with opposite sides of the wheel for gripping the latter, one of said jaws comprising a housing for receiving the wheel mounting means and the tire valve, whereby to prevent access to said means and valve, and instrumentalities for adjusting said jaws relative to each other, said instrumentalities being in threaded engagement with one of said jaws and swivelled to the other of said jaws.

4. In a device for rendering theftproof a spare wheel and tire mounted on a carrier, a pair of jaws engageable with opposite sides of the wheel for gripping the latter, one of said jaws comprising a housing for receiving the wheel mounting means and the tire valve, whereby to prevent access to said means and valve, and instrumentalities for adjusting said jaws relative to each other, said jaws having cooperating flat portions to inhibit relative rotation of said jaws.

5. In a device for rendering theftproof a spare wheel and tire mounted on a carrier, a pair of jaws engageable with opposite sides of the wheel for gripping the latter, one of said jaws comprising a housing for receiving the wheel mounting means and the tire valve, whereby to prevent access to said means and valve, and instrumentalities for adjusting said jaws relative to each other, one of said jaws comprising a hooked portion engageable within the rim of the wheel hub.

6. In a device of the class described, a spare wheel, tire and cover, relatively movable clamp members, instrumentalities for clamping said members against opposite sides of the wheel, one member having means to prevent removal of the wheel from a carrier and the other member having means for interlocking engagement with the cover.

'7. In a device of the class described, a spare wheel, tire and tire cover, a carrier having means for mounting the wheel thereon, a plurality of relatively adjustable members engageable with opposite sides of the wheel, one of said members having means to prevent effective access to the mounting means, the second member and cover being detachably interlocked, and means for locking all of the turbance.

8. In a device of the class described, a spare Wheel, tire and cover, relatively movable clamp members, instrumentalities for clamping said members against opposite sides of the wheel, one member having means to prevent removal of the wheel from a carrier and the other member having means for interlocking engagement with the 'cover, said first-mentioned member and its clamping means including a part connected to said carrier and a bolt for securing the wheel thereto, and said other member and its clamping means including a part connected to the tire cover and having lock means for preventing unauthorized removal of the cover from the tire and wheel.

9. In a device of the class described, a spare wheel, tire and cover, relatively movable clamp members, instrumentalities for clamping said members against opposite sides of the wheel, one member having means to prevent removal of the wheel from a carrier and the other member havparts against" unauthorized dising means for interlocking engagement with the cover, said first-mentioned member and its clamping means including a part connected to said carrier and a bolt for securing the wheel thereto, and said other member and its clamping means including a part connected to the tire cover and having lock means for preventing unauthorized removal of the cover from the tire and wheel, said lock means including a key-operable plunger accessible from the outer side of the wheel.

10. In a device of the class described, a spare wheel, tire and cover, relatively movable clamp members, instrumentalities for clamping said members against opposite sides of the wheel, one member having means to prevent removal of the wheel from a carrier and the other member having means for interlocking engagement with the cover, said first-mentioned member and its clamping means including a part connected to said carrier and a bolt for securing the wheel thereto, and said ing means including a part connected to the tire cover and having lock means for preventing unauthorized removal of the cover from the tire and wheel, said lock means including a keyoperable plunger accessible from the outer side of the wheel and extending inwardly of the tire and wheel for locking the cover, wheel and tire against unauthorized removal from the carrier.

HERBERT S. JANDUS. FREDERICK A. SMITH.

other member and its clamp-' 

